Police endorse reward program, may help crack down on animal cruelty

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed a reward program that may help combat illegal animal cruelty at puppy mills.

The program, established by The Human Society of the United States, offers a reward up to $5,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of a puppy mill operator for illegal animal cruelty, according to Stephanie Twining of The HSUS.

Adam Parascandola, director of animal cruelty investigations for The HSUS, said, "Hopefully our reward will be extra incentive for people with information about cruel conditions at a puppy mill to speak up and call our tip line. Their calls could help save the lives of millions of dogs."

Twining said a citizen's tip led to an investigation in September that helped rescue more than 200 dogs from a puppy mill in South Carolina. The dogs were suffering from eye infections, skin irritations, dental problems and lack of socialization.

According to The HSUS, there are more than 10,000 puppy mills in the country.